Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Frank Lampard’s loan spell in Manchester could continue longer than originally envisaged.
With Yaya Toure likely to leave Manchester City during the busy holiday period and throughout January for international duty with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations, the club would be left with just holding midfielders Fernandinho and Fernando.
As such, Man City are reportedly interested in extending Lampard’s loan at the Etihad Stadium, possibly through the end of February, when he can step into the New York City FC squad in time for the start of the 2015 MLS season. Man City coach Manuel Pellegrini was asked if he’d be interested in extending the loan, and while he didn’t say yes, he said they would revisit the situation in January.
“‘I can’t answer about that in this moment,” Pellegrini said. “Frank will stay until January because until January he doesn’t have anything to do in the United States because (NYCFC) are not working. In January we will see what is happening and we will make a decision then. It is not a problem in this moment.”
Here are some more stories from across the globe:
VELA SET FOR CALL-UP IN NOVEMBER FRIENDLIES
Carlos Vela’s self-imposed exile from the Mexican national team could be coming to an end.
According to El Tri manager Miguel Herrera, Vela phoned the national team boss this week and is reportedly open to a return to the squad. While it’s too late for him to be included for Mexico’s October friendlies, he could be made available for a pair of November friendlies in Europe.
Vela hasn’t played for El Tri since March 2011, when he made two substitute appearances under manager Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre. Since de la Torre’s dismissal, Vela has been asked to return numerous times, including ahead of the 2014 World Cup, but each time the Real Sociedad forward refused the selection.
Now it seems he is ready to return, though it remains to be seen how fans will accept him after all the times he turned down the call to join El Tri.
QUICK KICKS
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to drop Iker Casillas and promote Keylor Navas to starting goalkeeper. (REPORT)
Valencia, behind youngster Paco Alcacer, routed Getafe in La Liga action, 3-0. (REPORT)
AS Roma will be without midfielder Daniele De Rossi until Oct. 12 at the earliest due to a calf injury. (REPORT)
Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are both interested in signing Barcelona winger Munir El Haddadi. (REPORT)
Oft-injured Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby is expected to start against Southampton in the League Cup as he builds match fitness coming off yet another serious injury. (REPORT)
Fernando Santos has been named the new head coach of the Portuguese National Team. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Lampard extending his stay at Man City? Do you think NYC FC would allow it? Should El Tri continue to try and call Carlos Vela into their team?
Share your thoughts below.